Stamp affixing device



Jan. 28, 1941: W N ROBERTS 2,230,017

STAMP AFFIXING DEVICE Filed May 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l W. N. ROBERTS STAMP AFFIXING DEVICE Jan. 28, 194;.

Filed May 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Shes?l 2 Jan. 2s, 1941. w. N. mar-:mm 2,230,017

STAMP AFFIXING DEVICE Filed May 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hagi.

Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES rrrrv'r 14 Claims.

My invention relates to stamp afxing devices. An important object of the invention is to improve and simplify the construction of the stamp afxing device shown in my co-pending application led September 22, 1939, Serial No. 296,141.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to drive the stamp feed means when a relatively movable part is moved in one direcn tion and t0 release the stamp feed means: when i the partis moved in an opposite direction whereby the feed means will not feed the stamp in a reverse direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to shift the stamp severing means toward the stamp upon the downward movement of the relatively movable part.

A further object of the invention is to mount practically all of the operating parts upon the lower part or housing of the device.

A further object of the invention is to arrange the moistening device in spaced relation from the pressure element or roll and the stampl feed means so that the mucilage or gum will not be transmitted to the vsame and nally applied to .i the, upper face of the stamps.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable stamp holding means for accommodating strips oi stamps of various widths.

A further object of the invention is to simplify `the entire device with a view of reducing the parts to the minimum. so that it may be manufactured cheaply.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character which may be operated quickly to apply the stamps to the object and which is reliable in such operation.

A further object of the invention` is to provide a device oi the above mentioned character which is highly compact aznd neat in appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to control the operation oi the stamp severing means so that any number of stamps over one may be applied at one operation, when desired.

Other objects and advantages oi the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stamp afxing device embodying my invention, showing the reciprocatory part raised,

(Cl. 21S-33) Figure 2 is an edge elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4 4 of Figure l,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5--5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2, with the reciprocatory part raised,

Figure 7 is a similar View taken on line 'iL-'I of Figure 2,

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figure 7, parts broken away, the reciprocatory element being lowered, and the stop lug holding the pin carrying yoke against movement,

Figure 9 is a similar View, showing the pin carrying yoke not held by the stop lug and swung toward the stamps,

Figure l0 is a similar view, showing the reciprocatory part starting upon its upward movement and the power transmitting roll separated from the feed roll,

Figure 11 is a. rear edge elevation of the device,

Figure l2 is a detail longitudinal section through the blade 0f the sealing device,

Figure 13 is a similar View through the roller of the sealing device, and,

Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view oi the entire device.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral l@ designates a lower relatively stationary part, preferably in the form of a vertical casing or housing. The forward end il of this casing has an opening I2 formed therein, as shown. The opposite sides I3 of the casing are provided adjacent to the end li with vertical guides It, receiving an upper part I5, in the form of a plate which is reciprocatory and moves up and down with relation to the lower part of casing Iii. The plate I5 is rigidly attached to an upper reciprocatory part or sleeve it, slidably mounted upon the upper end of the casing it. The plate i5 and sleeve It reciprocate as a unit. The plate I5 is urged upwardly by a compressible coil spring Il, the upper end of which is permanently held within a socket itl or the like attached to the sleeve It and the lower end of this spring releasably engages a transverse member or bar I9, rigidly secured to the sides i3. The sleeve i6 is split generally vertically to provide a cover 2u, which is hinged to the sleeve It at il. By swinging the cover iii to the open position, access may be had to the interior of the casing I0. The upward movement of the cover 20 is limited by a rod I6' secured thereto and having a shoulder Ia, to engage beneath the bar I9.

Arranged at the bottom of the casing Ill, adjacent to the opening I2, is a pressure element or roll 23, which is preferably formed of rubber. This roll includes an inner metal sleeve 24, which is rotatable upon a stationary shaft 25. The shaft 25 is held inplace by screws 26, engaging within openings 2l formed in the sides I3 and also within screw-threaded openings 21' formed in the ends of the shaft.

A water holding reservoir or tank 28 is formed in the bottom of the casing ID rearwardly of the pressure roll 23 and has an outlet opening 29, for the passage of the end of a wick 30. This wick is spaced from the pressure roll 23 so that it is held out of contact with the pressure roll at all times. The tank is filled with water through an opening which is covered by a removable cap 3I.

Means is provided for holding and guiding a strip of stamps and is adjustable for accommodating strips of different widths. This means comprises a chute including chute-sections 32, provided upon their bottoms with lugs 33, integral therewith, and these lugs have screwthreaded bores 34, having right and left threads, to receive the screw-threaded portions 35, having right and left threads, of a shaft 35. This shaft has a smooth portion 3l extending through an opening formed in an inwardly pressed portion 38 of the side I3, affording a recess to receive a head 39, rigidly secured to the shaft 36. The opposite end of the shaft is secured to the opposite side I3 by a screw 4), having screw-threaded engagement within a bore formed in the end of the shaft 36 and this screw has an outer smooth portion which is rotatable in an opening formed in the adjacent side I3. Of course, any other suitable means may be employed to mount the shaft 36 in the casing. The shaft 36 has a smooth portion 4I. By turning the head 39 the shaft 36 will be rotated and the chute-sections 32 may be moved toward or from each other to vary the width of the chute. The chute-sections 32 have false bottoms or plates 42, the strip of stamps passing between these false bottoms 42 and the bottoms of the chute-sections. The numeral 42 designates an upper horizontal guide-shaft, suitably secured to the sides I3, and slidable in openings in the sides of the chute-sections 32.

Disposed near and forwardly of the shaft 42 is a power transmitting friction roll 43, preferably formed of rubber and including a metal sleeve 44. The sleeve 44 is rotatable upon a shaft 45. The shaft 45 is arranged between vertically swinging arms 47 and the shaft 45 is rigidly connected to the forward ends of the arms 41 by screws 48, engaging within openings 49 of the arms and within screw-threaded openings 49' formed in the ends of the shaft 45. The arms 41 have openings 5I) at their rear ends and these openings 50 pivotally receive the shaft 42. It is thus seen that the arms 41 are pivotally mounted and carry the power transmitting roll 43. The roll 43 has its periphery projecting slightly into the path of travel of the reciprocatory part or plate I5 and when the plate I5 is moved downwardly this plate Will turn the roll 43 and will also tend to move the roll 43 downwardly. When the plate I5 moves upwardly, it will first elevate the roll 43 and then tend to rotate the roll 43 in a reverse direction. The roll 43 is urged downwardly by the upper arm 5I of a spring 52, carried by a screw 53 or the like and this spring has a lower arm 54, as shown.

The device comprises stamp feed means, including a yoke or U-shaped member 55 having a bottom or bar 55 and ends 5l'. The ends 51 carry transverse heads 58. The stamp feed means further comprises a feed roll 59, preferably formed of rubber and having a metal sleeve Eil, rotatable upon a shaft GI. This shaft is pivotally mounted within openings 62 formed in the heads 58, and the shaft 6l is rigidly attached to the sides I3 by screws 62', engaging within openings 63 and within screw-threaded openings 63 formed in the ends of the shaft 5I. The shaft 6I thus serves to rotatably support the feed roll 59 which will turn about a fixed axis` and the yoke or U-shaped member 55 will swing in a vertical plane about the shaft 6I. Arranged rearwardly of and adjacent to the feed roll 59 is a companion feed roll 64, preferably formed of rubber, and having a metal sleeve 65, rigid upon a shaft 56. This shaft is loosely mounted in elongated slots 61 formed upon the inner ends of the heads 58. The lower arm 54 of the spring 52 engages with the end of the sleeve 65, and urges the roll 64 toward the roll 59. The yoke or U-shaped member 55 is swung forwardly from the strip of stamps, by a spring B8. The bar 56 has` spaced teeth 69, adapted to enter the perforations I0 within the strip of stamps 'l I, as will be explained. The spring E8 moves these teeth B9 from the stamp and this outward movement is limited by an adjustable stop l2. The teeth 69 are shifted toward the stamp by an adjustable trip 13, arranged to engage the forward end of the head 58. The trip 'I3 is in the form of a bolt having screw-threaded engagement with a lug I4 which is rigidly secured to the plate I5. The numeral 'i5 designates strippers, which are formed from slight resilient wire. These strippers are attached to the ends 5l and the free ends of the strippers are arranged behind the pressure roll 23 and will contact with the strip of stamps and will yield when the teeth 69 move toward the stamp and enter the perforations, but when the teeth move from the trailing stamp, these resilient strippers will strip or separate the trailing s-tamp from the teeth so that this stamp cannot follow the teeth 69 as they move forwardly. These strippers also guide the rear end of the leading stamp so that such rear end Will be properly moist when passing over the wick 30.

Means is provided to latch or hold the yoke or U-shaped member 55 from swinging rearwardly toward the stamp for causing the teeth 69 to enter the perforations of the stamp. This means comprises a bolt 16, shiftable to a position benea-th and in the path of travel of a lug TI, carried by one head 58. The bolt 'I6 is carried by a bar or shank "I8, mounted to slide in an elongated slot 'I9 and having a head 30 secured to its outer end. When the head 30 is shifted forwardly the bolt i6 is brought to a position beneath and in the path of travel of the lug 'I'I and when the head 80 is shifted rearwardly the bolt 'I6 is out of the path of travel of the lug 'I`I. When the belt 'Iii is in the path of travel of the lug 1l, the bar 56 cannot move inwardly to bring the teeth 69 into the perforations, Hence when the plate I5 is depressed, the stamp will be fed to a position to engage the object and the pressure roll 23 and when the entire device is shifted over the stamp, the pressure roll 23 will pull the leading stamp but such leading stamp will not be Cil severed from the next trailing stamp. Any number of stamps over one may thus be pulled from the device by the pressure roll 23 and the selected stamp will be severed when the head 80 is shifted rearwardly to bring the bolt 76 out of the path of travel of the lug ll. When the bolt 'I6 is out of the path of travel of the lug l1 one stamp will be severed and applied upon each cycle of operation of the device.

I also provide an envelope sealing device which is carried by the stamp afliXing device. This sealing device comprises a blade 8l, spaced from the inclined bottom portion 82, and having a free open end. The opposite end of the blade is bent laterally and is preferably detachably connected with the inclined bottom portion 82. The inner surface of the blade 3l is covered` by an absorbent element t3, which` may be felt or the like for applying moisture to the gummed side of the flap of the envelope. Arranged near and spaced from the blade 8l is a sealing roll Ell, formed in sections 85, carried by a shaft 85 rotatable in a bearing ill'. This bearing is rigidly secured to the inclined bottom portion 82.

By tilting the casing lll, the blade 8i will become generally horizontal and pass between the flap and the body of the envelope, to meisten the gummed portion thereof, while the sealing roll 34 will follow and firmly press the flap to the body of the envelope to complete the sealing action. By having the sealing element in the form. of a rotatable roll, the flap will be sealed flat without any tendency for the same to buckle. Where a sealing element is employed which is in the form of a non-rotatable drag, the flap frequently buckles.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The wick t@ is maintained suitably moist by water within the tank 23. The bolt I6 is now out of the path of travel of the lug 1l. A roll of perforated stamps is arranged in the upper portion of the casing l@ near and behind the chute and the strip is partly unwound so that the leading end thereof is passed into the chute and beneath the false bottoms 42. The forward end of the strip is passed between the feed rolls 59 and fill and is firmly held between these feed rolls, which are spring pressed. This engagement is maintained regardless of the position of the yoke or U-shaped member 55. The reciprocatory plate l5 may now be in the uppermost position. To aix the stamp to the object, such as an envelope, the device is brought down upon the envelope and the pressure roll 23 is arranged at the point at which it is desired to affix the stamp. The casing Ib is now held stationary while the plate l5 is forced downwardly. When the plate i5 descends it engages the power transmitting roll d3 which it turns counterclockwise and at the same time presses the same into firm engagement with the feed roll 59, turning it clockwise. The companion feed roll 6d presses the stamp firmly in engagement with the feed roll 59 and hence these feed rolls feed the stamp toward the pressure roll 23. The stamp travels across the forward end of the wick 3i) and is moistened as it is fed toward the pressure roll 23. By the time the plate l5 has reached rthe end of its down stroke the free end of the fected by the feed roll 59. When the plate l5 is moved downwardly, as explained, it engages the forward end of the head 58, swinging the yoke 55 rearwardly and bringing the teeth 69 into contact with the stamp. These teeth do not as yet enter the perforations 'ill of the stamp which are still above the teeth. The plate i5 is now held depressed and the entire device is bodily shifted with respect to the stamp having its forward end applied to the object. The pressure roll travels over the stamp and applies it to the object and exerts a pulling action upon the stamp and this pulling action of the stamp causes the perforations to register with the teeth iid. These teeth enter the perforations and when the pressure roll 23 further pulls the leading stamp it is severed from the strip and its application to the object is completed by the roll lli. Before the leading stamp is severed from the strip, the next stamp is fed well between the feed rolls` 59 and @t and is held by them. The plate iii is now released and rises to the elevated position. When this plate l5 rises it elevates the power transmitting roll t3 and it breaks contact with the roll 59 and hence does not turn this roll and the stamp feed means will not feed the stamp in a reverse direction. Attention is called to the fact that the teeth lili are arranged above and spaced from the wick of the moistening device whereby these teeth when severing the leading stamp from the next trailing stamp, will leave such trailing stamp well spaced from the wick, so that water cannot be improperly applied thereto. The spring (it automatically shifts the teeth 69 from the strip of stamps when the plate l5 rises, and hence these teeth will not be in the way of the next trailing stamp and will not interfere with its proper feeding movement. The cycle of operation may now be repeated.

When the head is shifted forwardly so that the bolt le moves into the path of travel of the lug l'l', the teeth t9 will not enter the perforations when the device is shifted over the stamp being applied. A continued shifting movement of the device over the object to which the stamps are being applied will cause the pressure roll 23 to pull upon the strip of stamps and thus apply any desired number of stamps over one to the object. The last selected stamp will be severed from the strip by shifting the head til rearwardly so that the bolt 'iii will move out of the path of travel of the lug ll, after which a further downward movement of the plate I5 will cause the teeth to enter the perforations, to effect the severing in the usual manner.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape7 size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope o-f the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a stamp aifixing device, a lower stationary support, a pressure element carried by the lower stationary support and moving over the stamp when the lower stationary support is shifted bodily with relation to the stamp to apply the stamp to the object, means mounted upon the lower support to feed a strip of stamps toward the pressure element, a movable member mounted upon the stationary support and operating the stamp feed means when shifted in one direction with relation to the stationary support, the stamp feed means and the movable member operating independently of the movement of the pressure element.

2. In a stamp afxing device, a lower stationary support, a pressure element carried by the support, means mounted upon the support to feed the end of a perforated strip of stamps into contact with the object and the pressure element, a movable member carried by the stationary support to operate the strip feeding means, and a member having teeth to engage within the perforations, the stamp being applied by the pressure element when the pressure element is moved over the stamp upon the shifting of the support bodily with relation to the stamp and the perforations receive the teeth for severing the stamp.

3. In a stamp aiiixing device, a relatively stationary support, a pressure element carried by the support, perforated stamp strip feeding means mounted upon the support to feed the stamp into engagement with the pressure element, a power transmitting roll yieldingly mounted above the stamp feeding means to drive the same, a reciprocatory member to engage the power transmitting roll to turn it and to press it into driving engagement with the stamp feeding means upon the downward movement of the reciprocatory member, the reciprocatory member serving to elevate the power transmitting roll so that it breaks its driving engagement with the stamp feeding means when the reciprocatory member is raised, and a device having teeth and shiftable by the reciprocatory member when it is moved downwardly so that the teeth are brought into contact with the stamp strip, the stamp being applied by the pressure element when the pressure element is moved over the same upon the shifting movement of the relatively stationary support with relation to the stamp so that the perforations of the stamp strip receive the teeth and the stamp is severed.

4. In a stamp aixing device, a relatively stationary support, a pressure element carried by the support, stamp strip feeding means carried by the support, a power transmitting rotatable element mounted upon the support and movable toward the stamp strip feeding means to have driving engagement therewith, a reciprocatory member to turn the power transmitting rotatable element and to shift it toward the stamp strip feeding means upon the downward movement of the reciprocatory member, the reciprocatory member serving to shift the power transmitting rotatable element from the stamp strip feeding means to break the driving engagement when the reciprocatory member is raised, and a device having teeth and adapted to be shifted by the reciprocatory member when it is moved downwardly so that the teeth will enter the perforations of the stamp strip, the stamp being applied when the pressure element is moved over it upon the shifting of the relatively stationary support with relation to the stamp.

5. In a stamp axing device, a relatively stationary support, a pressure element carried by the support, stamp feeding means carried by the support, a power transmitting rotatable element mounted upon the support and movable toward the stamp feeding means to have driving engagement therewith, a reciprocatory member to turn the power transmitting rotatable element and to shift it toward the stamp feeding means upon the downward movement of the reciprocatory member, the reciprocatory member serving to shift the power transmitting rotatable element from the stamp feeding means to break the driving engagement when the reciprocatory member is raised, and means to sever the stamp, the stamp being applied when the pressure element is shifted over it.

6. In a stamp afliXing device, relatively movable parts, a pressure element carried by one part, stamp feeding means carried by one part, a power transmitting rotatable element carried by one part and movable with relation to the stamp feeding means to have driving engagement therewith, the other part serving to turn the power transmitting rotatable element and to shift it with relation to the stamp feeding means so that it has driving engagement therewith and to break such driving engagement when such other part is moved in a reverse direction, and means to sever the stamp, the stamp being applied when the pressure element is shifted over it.

7. In a stamp afxing device, a relatively stationary support, a pressure element carried by the support, stamp feeding means carried by the support, a rotatable power transmitting element, movable means to hold the rotatable element in place, a downwardly movable part arranged to engage and turn the rotatable element upon its downward movement and to shift the same into driving engagement with the stamp feeding means, said part also serving to shift the rotatable element from the stamp feeding means to break the driving engagement when the part is raised, and means to sever the stamp.

8. In a stamp affixing device, relatively movable connected parts, a pressure element carried by one part, stamp feeding means carried by one part and adapted to feed the stamp toward the pressure element, the stamp feeding means being operated by the relative movement between the parts, a stamp severing device rendered active by the relative movement between the parts, and means to prevent the stamp severing means being rendered active by such relative movement.

9. In a stamp aiiixing device, connected relatively movable parts, a pressure roll carried by one part, stamp strip feeding means carried by one part, means to operate the stamp strip feeding means upon the relative movement of the parts, a movable device having teeth adapted to enter the perforations of the stamp strip, means operated by the relative movement between the parts to move the device so that the teeth will enter the perforations, and adjustable means to prevent the movement of the device so that the teeth would enter the perforations,

l0. In a stamp aflixing device, a support, a pressure element carried by the support, a reciprocatory member carried by the support, stamp strip feeding means `operated by the movement of the reciprocatory member in one direction to feed the stamp strip toward the pressure element, a movable device having teeth adapted to enter the perforations of the stamp strip, the movable device having a part arranged in the path of travel of the reciprocatory member to be moved thereby so that the teeth will enter the perforations, and a latch device for holding the movable device so that it cannot be shifted by the reciprocatory member and subsequently releasing the movable device, the pressure element applying the stamp when moving over the same upon the shifting of the support with relation to the stamp.

l1. In a stamp aixing device, a support, a pressure element carried by the support, a reciprocatory member mounted upon the support,

stamp strip feed means operated by the movement of the reciprocatory member and serving to feed the stamp strip toward the pressure element, a pivoted device having teeth adapted to enter the perforations in the stamp strip and having a part arranged in the path of trave-1 of the reciprocatory member to be shifted thereby so that the teeth will enter the perforations, and a releasable latch device to hold the pivoted device against movement by the reciprocatory member.

12. In a stamp aixing device, a casing, a pressure element carried by the casing, a chute for receiving a perforated stamp strip and including laterally adjustable chute-sections, a transverse screw-threaded element to adjust the chute-sections, a transverse guide-shaft slidably engaging the chute-sections, stamp strip feed means to receive the stamp strip from the chute, a rotatable power transmitting element to engage and disengage the stamp strip feed means, means for holding the rotatable power transmitting element in place and pivotally mounted upon the transverse guide-shaft, a reciprocatory member mounted upon the casing and arranged to engage and turn the rotatable element, and a movable member having teeth and arranged to be shifted by the reciprocatory member so that its teeth will move toward the stamp strip and enter the perforations.

13. In a stamp afixing device, a support, a pressure element carried by the support, a stamp strip feed roll, a second roll arranged opposite the stamp strip feed roll to press the stamp strip against the same, yielding means to move the second stamp strip feed roll toward the first stamp strip feed roll, means to drive the first stamp strip feed roll including a reciprocatory member, a. stamp severing device operated by the recip-rocatory member, the pressure element being moved over the stamp to apply the stamp upon the shifting movement of the support with relation to the stamp.

ifi. In a stamp afiixing device, a support, a pressure element carried by the support, a transverse shaft carried by the support, a feed roll mounted upon the transverse shaft to advance a perforated stamp strip, a yoke pivoted upon the shaft, a second feed roll carried by the yoke and movable toward the first feed roll, yielding means to move the second feed roll toward the first feed roll, teeth carried by the yoke and adapted to enter the perforations in the stamp strip, yielding means to swing the yoke from the stamp strip, a rotatable power transmitting element to drive the first feed roll, a reciprocatory member to engage the power transmitting element and turn it, said yoke having a part arranged in the path of travel of the reciprocatory member so that the reciprocatory member may swing the yoke toward the stamp strip to cause the teeth to enter the perforations.

WILLIAM N. ROBERTS. 

